Cannulated guide tools

ABSTRACT

According to a first configuration, a hand tool is configured to include a shaft, a handle disposed at a proximal end of the shaft, and a tubular tip disposed on a hinge at a distal end of the shaft. The tubular tip pivots about the hinge, providing a way to steer a resource to a specific location in a medical site. In accordance with a second configuration, a hand tool includes a flexible section of tube, a flexible sheathing, and a link. The flexible sheathing encases the flexible section of tube. At least a portion of the link resides between an outer surface of the flexible section of tube and an inner surface of the flexible sheathing. One end of the link is affixed to a distal tip of the flexible section of tube. Pulling on the link causes the flexible section of tube to arc.

BACKGROUND

The prior art appears to include different types of hand tools to carryout surgical procedures. For example, one type of hand tool may be usedto make an incision in human tissue, another type of hand tool may beused to drill into a bone, another type of hand tool may be used to cutaway cartilage, another type of hand tool may be used suture tissue backtogether, etc.

Surgical procedures, such as bone repair, may require guiding a wirethrough a hole drilled in a bone. Subsequent to drilling a hole in abone, it may be difficult to steer a wire through the hole because anincision made in tissue may naturally close or there may not be easyaccess to the drilled hole through the incision because the drilled holeis behind an obstruction such as another bone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein include multiple types of novel cannulated guidetools for use in various applications.

For example, in accordance with a first embodiment, a hand tool isconfigured to include a shaft, a handle disposed at a proximal end ofthe shaft, and a tubular tip disposed on a hinge at a distal end of theshaft. The tubular tip pivots about the hinge, thus providing a way tosteer a resource such as a guide wire to a specific location in amedical site.

The hand tool can include a link extending between the handle and thetubular tip. In accordance with such an embodiment, the link controls anangular orientation of the tubular tip about the hinge at the distal endof the shaft. As an example, during use, a user squeezes the handledisposed at a proximal end of the hand tool to control an angularposition of a hinged, tubular tip at a distal end of the hand tool.

In one embodiment, the link is a slidable link. The slidable linkextends between the handle and the tubular tip of the hand tool.Squeezing of the handle causes the slidable link to move axially alongthe rigid tube to control an angular orientation of the tubular tip withrespect to a lengthwise axis of the shaft.

The tubular tip can include a lug assembly in a vicinity of the hinge.In such an embodiment, the slidable link at the distal end of the shaftis in contact with the lug to adjust an angular offset of the tubulartip with respect to a rigid tube in the shaft.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the hinge of the hand toolis formed by and includes protrusions (e.g., projections) on the tubulartip. The protrusions can be mated to dimples disposed on the shaft atthe distal end of the hand tool to form a hinge. In one exampleembodiment, the tubular tip includes a spacing between the protrusionsenabling the projections in tubular tip to be compressed. Theprojections of the tubular tip pressably fit into the dimples to formhinge on which the tip rotates.

In a more specific example embodiment, the handle is a scissors handle.The shaft can include a rigid tube extending from the proximal end ofthe shaft to the distal end of the shaft. The tubular tip on the hingeextends beyond the distal end of the shaft to form a movable andangularly adjustable extension of the rigid shaft.

The scissors handle can include a first lever and a second lever. Thefirst lever of the scissors handle can be fixedly attached to the shaft.The second lever of the scissors handle pivots about the first lever ofthe scissors handle and is mechanically coupled to the link. Based onmovement of the second lever with respect to the first lever, the linkslides axially along a length of the shaft to adjust the angularorientation of the tubular tip. Thus, the angular orientation of thetubular tip can be configured to vary depending on an angularorientation of the first lever with respect to the second lever. Inother words, depending on a degree of squeezing the scissors handle, theslidable link controls the tubular portion in the hinged tip to beaxially aligned or angularly offset with respect to the rigid tubeattached to the scissors handle.

In one configuration, when a straight tubular region of the tubularsection in the hinged tip is positioned to axially align with the rigidtube of the hand tool to form a straight tubular guide, there is an openspace or notched region between the tubular portion in the hinged tipand the end of the rigid tube. Thus, the hand tool can be configured toinclude a gap or open space between the tubular portion in the hingedtip and the end of the rigid tube in the shaft. When the hinged tip ispositioned off axis or angularly offset with respect to the axis of therigid tube via squeezing the scissor handle, a size of the gap or openspace between the end of the rigid tube and the tubular portion of thehinged tip increases.

In one embodiment, the hand tool as discussed herein is used to steer aguide wire into a hole drilled into a bone. For example, an operatorreceives the hand tool as discussed above. The operator inserts andslides a guide wire through the rigid tube in the hand tool starting ata handle end (e.g., proximal end) of the hand tool. The operator pushesthe wire through the rigid tube and through the hinged tubular tip atthe distal end of the hand tool. Based on a degree of squeezing thehandle during an operation, the operator can adjust the tip at thedistal end of the hand tool to steer the end of the guide wire to adesired location such as a hole drilled in a bone.

Embodiments herein further include manufacture or assembly of the handtool as discussed herein. This can include receiving a shaft; affixing ahandle to a proximal end of the shaft; and disposing a tubular tip on ahinge at a distal end of the shaft.

In accordance with a second embodiment, a hand tool can be configured toinclude a tubular guide, a flexible sheathing, and a link. The tubularguide can be configured to include a rigid section of tube coupled to aflexible section of tube. The flexible sheathing covers at least aportion of the tubular guide. The link can be a slender, flexiblematerial such as wire, string, cable, thread, etc. and thus slidealongside the rigid section of tube and flexible section of tube. In oneembodiment, the slidable link extends along a length of the tubularguide between an outer surface of the tubular guide and an inner surfaceof the flexible sheathing. One end of the slidable link is affixed to adistal tip of the flexible section of tube. In accordance with such anembodiment, the act of pulling on the slidable link causes the flexiblesection of tube to flex and arc.

In a further embodiment, in a relaxed state when substantially nopulling force is applied to the slidable link, the combination of theflexible section of tube and the flexible sheathing form a straighttubular guide. During use of the hand tool, a user squeezes a handle ata proximal end of the hand tool apply a pulling force to the slidablelink to control the arc formed by the flexible section of tube to steera guide wire passing through the hand tool.

In accordance with another embodiment, a straight rigid section of tubecan be affixed to a handle of the hand tool. The straight rigid sectionof tube can be coupled to the combination of the flexible section oftube and the flexible sheathing. In a relaxed state when substantiallyno pulling force is applied to the slidable link, the combination of theflexible section of tube and the flexible sheathing and the rigidsection of tube form a straight tubular region. The handle is configuredto control movement of the slidable link along the length of the tubularguide to adjust an arc formed by the flexible section of tube.

In accordance with further embodiments, a first end of the slidable linkis affixed to the distal tip of the flexible section of tube. The handleof the hand tool is configured to pull on a second end of the slidablelink to control an arc of the flexible section of tube. A portion of theslidable link between the flexible sheathing and the flexible section oftube conforms to a shape of the arc of the flexible section of tube. Inother words, a portion of slidable link adjacent to the flexiblesheathing and flexible section of tube conforms to a shape of the arcformed by the combination of flexible sheathing and flexible section oftube.

A ring can be disposed at the distal tip of the flexible section oftube. In such an embodiment, the end of the slideable link is attachedto the ring disposed at the distal tip.

When a pulling force is applied to the slidable link to adjust an arc ofthe section of flexible tube, the flexible sheathing prevents theslidable link from bowing away from the flexible section of tube.

In furtherance of preventing bowing of the slidable link away from theflexible section of tube, an inner diameter of the flexible sheathingcan be substantially equal to an outer diameter of the flexible sectionof tube. In such an embodiment, the inner surface of the flexiblesheathing forces the slidable link to touch or nearly touch the flexiblesheathing when a force is applied to the slidable link.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the handle is a scissorshandle including a first lever and a second lever. The first lever ofthe scissors handle is fixedly attached to the rigid section of thetubular guide. An end of the slidable link can be affixed to the distaltip of the flexible section of tube. The second lever of the scissorshandle pivots about the first lever of the scissors handle. The secondend of the slidable link is in communication with the second lever ofthe scissors handle. For example, movement of the second lever applies apulling force (or pushing force if the link is rigid) on the slidablelink. The slidable link can be configured to slide axially along thelength of the tubular guide to adjust the arc based on pivoting of thesecond lever with respect to the first lever of the handle. A shape ofthe arc of the tubular guide varies depending on an angular orientationof the first lever with respect to the second lever.

Embodiments herein further include manufacturing or assembly of the handtool with the flexible tubular tip. For example, in one embodiment, amanufacturer receives a tubular guide including at least a flexiblesection of tube; attaches an end of a link to a distal tip of theflexible section of tube; and encases the flexible section of tube witha flexible sheathing to dispose or sandwich a length of the link betweenan outer surface of the flexible section of tube and an inner surface ofthe flexible sheathing.

Embodiments herein further include use of the hand tool as discussedherein. For example, an operator receives a hand tool, the hand toolincludes: a handle, a tubular guide, the tubular guide including aflexible section of tube covered by a flexible sheathing, a slidablelink between an outer surface of the flexible section and an innersurface of the flexible sheathing. The operator utilizes the handle ofthe hand tool to control a force applied to the slidable link to adjustan arc formed by the flexible section of tube. The hand tool asdiscussed herein is used to steer a guide wire into a hole drilled intoa bone. For example, the operator of the hand tool can insert and slidea guide wire through the rigid tube starting at the handle. The operatorpushes the guide wire through the rigid tubular portion to and throughthe flexible section at the distal end of the hand tool. Based on adegree of squeezing the handle during a surgical operation, the operatorcan adjust the tip at the distal end of the hand tool to steer the endof the guide wire to a desired location such as the hole drilled in abone.

These and other example embodiments are discussed in more detail below.

As discussed above, techniques herein are well suited for use insteering a guide wire. However, it should be noted that embodimentsherein are not limited to use in such applications and that thetechniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications aswell.

Note that although each of the different features, techniques,configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in different places ofthis disclosure, it is intended that each of the concepts can beutilized independently of each other or, where suitable, in combinationwith each other. Accordingly, the one or more present inventions asdescribed herein can be embodied and viewed in many different ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein doesnot specify every embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of thepresent disclosure or claimed invention(s). Instead, this briefdescription only presents general embodiments and corresponding pointsof novelty over conventional techniques. For additional details and/orpossible perspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), and additionalpoints of novelty, the reader is directed to the Detailed Descriptionsection and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as furtherdiscussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments principles, concepts, etc.

FIG. 1 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example perspective view diagram of a hinged tubular tip ofa hand tool according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example side view diagram of a hinged, tubular tip in afirst position according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is an example side view diagram of a hinged, tubular tip in asecond position according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example perspective view diagram of a tubular tip of a handtool according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating a top view of a tubular tipaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a side view of a tubular tipaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is an example perspective diagram illustrating a tip of a linkaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing ahand tool according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing ahand tool according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating example steps of a user utilizing ahand tool having a hinged, tubular tip according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 13 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is an example side view diagram of a tubular guide in a handtool according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 15 is an example perspective view diagram of a hand tool accordingto embodiments herein.

FIG. 16 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool and correspondingflexible, tubular tip in a first position according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 17 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool and correspondingflexible, tubular tip in a second position according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing ahand tool having a corresponding flexible tubular tip according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing ahand tool having a corresponding flexible tubular tip according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating example steps of a user utilizing ahand tool having a flexible tip according to embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a first configuration (e.g., FIGS. 1-12), a hand tool isconfigured to include a shaft, a handle disposed at a proximal end ofthe shaft, and a tubular tip disposed on a hinge at a distal end of theshaft. The tubular tip pivots about the hinge, providing a way to steera resource to a specific location in a medical site.

In accordance with a second configuration (e.g., FIGS. 13-20), a handtool includes a flexible section of tube, a flexible sheathing, and alink. The flexible sheathing encases the flexible section of tube. Atleast a portion of the link resides between an outer surface of theflexible section of tube and an inner surface of the flexible sheathing.One end of the link is affixed to a distal tip of the flexible sectionof tube. Pulling on the link causes the flexible section of tube to arc.

More specifically, FIG. 1 is an example side view of a hand tool 100including a tip 110 according to embodiments herein. Tip 110 can includea cannula, bore, tubular region, bore, etc.

In general, a user squeezes a handle 125 at a proximal end of the handtool 100 to control an angular position of hinged, tip 110 at a distalend 105-2 of the hand tool 100. The hand tool 100 enables a user tosteer a resource such as a guide wire passing through tubular guide 115to a desired location.

More specifically, according to one configuration, the hand tool 100includes a handle 125 such as a scissors handle, a straight rigid tubealong shaft 140, and hinged tip 110. The proximal end 105-1 of the rigidshaft 140 (through which tubular guide 115 passes) is fixedly attachedto lever 126-2 of handle 125. The tip 110 is coupled to the shaft 140via a hinge assembly 150 at distal end 105-2 opposite the handle 125.

In one embodiment, the hinged, tubular tip 110 pivots about the hingeassembly 150 securing the hinged tip 110 to the shaft 140. Similar tothe shaft 140, the hinged tip 110 also can include a tubular portion. Insuch an embodiment, the tubular guide 115 of the hand tool 100 extendsalong axis 160 from the proximal end 105-1 through the handle 125 andthrough the distal end of the shaft 140.

The hand tool 100 can include a link 170 extending from the handle 125to the hinged tip 110. The link 170 can be configured to slide alongshaft 140. Squeezing the lever 126-1 with respect to lever 122-2 ofhandle 125 causes the link 170 to slide axially along the shaft 140.

According to one configuration, the link 170 is in contact with thehinged tip 110 via a lug assembly (FIGS. 4-9) to control actuation ofthe hinged tip 110. Thus, via squeezing of the lever scissors handle 125and corresponding axial movement of the link 170, the scissors handle125 adjusts an angular offset of the tubular hinged tip 110 with respectto axis 160 or rigid tube formed in shaft 140. Depending on a degree ofsqueezing the lever 126-1 with respect to the lever 126-2 of thescissors handle 125, the link 170 moves and controls the hinged tip 110to be axially aligned or angularly offset with respect to axis 160.Thus, the tubular portion of the hinged tip 110 can be an extension tubethat is axially aligned or angularly offset with respect to axis 160.

Depending on a degree of squeezing the handle 125, the hinged, tubulartip 110 can be angularly offset by different amounts with respect to theaxis 160. The hinged, tubular tip 110 acts as a steerable extension ofthe tubular guide 115 in shaft 140.

In one configuration, when the tubular section in the hinged tip 110 ispositioned to axially align with the rigid tube formed in shaft 140,there is an open space or gap 180 between the tubular portion in thehinged tip 110 and the end of the rigid tube formed in shaft 140. Thus,there is a gap 180 (e.g., open space) between the tubular portion in thehinged tip 110 and the end of the shaft 140. When the hinged tip 110 ispositioned off axis with respect to axis 160 of the rigid tube formed inshaft 140 via squeezing the handle 125, a size of the gap 180 or openspace between the end of the rigid tube and the tubular portion of thehinged tip 110 increases (FIG. 5).

By way of a non-limiting example, the hand tool 100 as discussed hereincan be used to steer a resource such as a guide wire 191 into a holedrilled into a bone. For example, in one embodiment, the operator of thehand tool 100 inserts and slides a guide wire 191 through the tubularguide 115 starting at the handle 125 and pushes the guide wire 191towards and through the tubular guide 115 in shaft 115 to the distal end105-2. The operator also pushes the guide wire 191 to pass through atubular section formed through tip 110. Based on a degree of squeezingthe handle 125 during a surgical operation, the operator can adjust thetip 110 at the distal end 105-2 of the hand tool 100 to steer the end ofthe guide wire 191 (which passes through the tubular guide 115 in shaft140 and passes through tubular portion of the tip 110) to a desiredlocation such as the hole drilled in a bone of a medical site.

FIG. 2 is an example side view diagram of hand tool 100 according toembodiments herein. As shown, the shaft 140 is fixedly attached to thelever 126-2 of handle 125. Lever 126-1 rotates about pivot 225.

Projection 220 of lever 126-1 resides in notch 210 formed in link 170.Accordingly, when the user squeezes the lever 126-1 towards lever 126-2,the link 170 slides parallel to axis 160 towards a distal end 105-2 ofthe shaft 140. Conversely, when the user moves the lever 126-1 away fromlever 126-2, the link 170 slides parallel to axis 160 towards theproximal end 105-1 of the hand tool 100.

FIG. 3 is an example perspective view diagram of a hinged tubular tip110 according to embodiments herein. As shown, shaft includes tubularguide 115; tip 110 includes tubular guide 315. Movement of link 170along axis 160 (via squeezing of handle 125 as previously discussed)causes the hinged, tubular tip 110 to rotate about the hinge assembly150 as shown. For example, when the user squeezes the lever 126-1towards lever 126-2 as previously discussed, the link 170 slidesparallel to axis 160 towards a distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140, whichcauses the tip 110 to rotate about the hinge assembly 150 in directionB. Conversely, when the user moves the lever 126-1 away from lever126-2, the link 170 slides parallel to axis 160 towards the proximal end105-1 of the hand tool 100, which causes the tip 110 to rotate about thehinge assembly 150 in direction A.

FIG. 4 is an example side view diagram of a hinged, tubular tip in afirst position according to embodiments herein. As shown, link 170includes curved lug 425. Tip 110 includes a lug channel 435. The curvedlug 425 of link 170 matably fits and slides into the lug channel 435 ofthe tip 110. Movement of the curved lug 425 controls an angular positionof the tip depending on a position of the link 170 along shaft 140. Inthe position as shown in FIG. 4, the tubular guide 315 formed in the tip110 is axially aligned (on axis 160) with the tubular guide 115 of shaft140.

FIG. 5 is an example side view diagram of a hinged, tubular tip in asecond position according to embodiments herein. As previouslydiscussed, link 170 includes curved lug 425. Tip 315 includes a lugchannel 435. The curved lug 425 of link 170 slidably fits into the lugchannel of the tip 110. Movement of the link 170 and thus curved lugtowards the handle 125 or proximal end 105-1 of hand tool 100 causes thetip 110 to rotate clockwise around hinge assembly 150 as shown to offsetthe tubular guide 315 at an increased angle 550 with respect to thetubular guide 115.

FIG. 6 is an example perspective view diagram of a tubular tip 110 of ahand tool 100 according to embodiments herein. As shown, the tip 110includes lug channel 435, tubular guide 315, and projection 610-1.Projection 610-1 is part of hinge assembly 150 and matably attaches torespective dimples formed at the distal end 105-2 of shaft 140 such thatthe tip rotates as previously discussed.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating a top view diagram of atubular tip 110 according to embodiments herein. As shown, the tip 110includes projection 610-1 and projection 610-2, which form part of hingeassembly 150. The tip 110 can include a spacing 710 to press andsubsequently mate projections 610 of hinge assembly 150 into respectivedimples formed at the distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a side view of a tubular tip110 according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is an example perspective diagram illustrating a tip region oflink 170 according to embodiments herein. As shown, and as previouslydiscussed, the distal end of link 170 can include a curved lug 425 tocontrol an angular orientation of the hinged, tubular tip 110 at thedistal end 105-2 of the hand tool 100.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating an example method ofmanufacturing or assembling a hand tool 100 having a hinged, tubular tip110 according to embodiments herein. Note that the order of steps isshown by way of non-limiting example only and that the steps can beperformed in any suitable order.

In step 1010, a hand tool assembler (e.g., manufacturer, designer,fabricator, etc.) receives a shaft 140.

In step 1020, the hand tool assembler affixes a handle 125 to a proximalend 105-1 of the shaft 140.

In step 1030, the hand tool assembler disposes a tubular tip 110 on ahinge assembly 150 at a distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart 1100 illustrating an example method ofmanufacturing a hand tool 100 according to embodiments herein.

In step 1110, an assembler receives a shaft 140. The shaft 140 caninclude or be a rigid tube extending from a proximal end 105-1 of theshaft 140 to a distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

In step 1115, the assembler affixes a handle 125 to the proximal end105-1 of the shaft 140.

In step 1120, the assembler disposes a tubular tip 110 on a hingeassembly 150 at the distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140. The tip 110disposed on the hinge assembly 150 provides an extension of the rigidtubular guide 115 beyond the distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

In step 1125, the assembler provides a link 170 to extend between thehandle 125 and the tubular tip 110.

In step 1130, the assembler configures the link 170 to control, based onmovement of the link 170, an angular orientation of the tubular tip 110about the hinge assembly 150 at the distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

In sub-step 1135, the assembler configures the link 170 to move, basedon squeezing of the handle 125, axially along the tubular guide 115 inthe shaft 140 to control an angular orientation of the tubular tip 110with respect to an axial length of the shaft 140.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating example steps of a user utilizing ahand tool having a hinged, tubular tip according to embodiments herein.

In step 1210, a user (e.g., a surgeon, operator, etc.) receives a handtool 100. The hand tool 100 comprises: a shaft 140 having tubular guide115, a handle 125 disposed at a proximal end 105-1 of the shaft 140, anda tubular tip 110 disposed on a hinge assembly 150 at a distal end 105-2of the shaft 140.

In step 1220, via the handle 125, the user axially aligns the tubulartip 110 with the shaft 140.

In step 1225, the user inserts a wire through both the tubular guide 115through shaft 140 and the tubular tip 110.

In step 1230, the user utilizes the handle 125 of the hand tool 100 toadjust an angular orientation of the tubular tip 110 on the hingeassembly 150 at the distal end 105-2 of the shaft 140.

In sub-step 1235, the user squeezes the handle 125 disposed at theproximal end 105-1 to adjust the angular orientation of the tip 110 andsteer the tubular guide 315 in tip 110 to a medical site.

In step 1240, the user pushes an end of the wire at the proximal end105-1 of the tubular guide 115 in the tubular guide 115 of the shaft 140through the tubular guide 315 and the tubular tip 110 into a holedrilled at the medical site.

FIG. 13 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool 1300 according toembodiments herein.

Further embodiments herein include a hand tool 1300 such as a cannulatedsteerable guide used in surgical applications. In general, a useroperates a handle 1349 at a proximal end 1327 of the hand tool 1300 tocontrol movement of a flexible tip at a distal end 1322 of the hand tool1300.

By way of a non-limiting example, the hand tool 1300 can be configuredto include a scissors handle including lever 1350-1 and lever 1350-2.The hand tool 1300 can further include a rigid section of tube 1310, aflexible section of tube 1320 (e.g., a coil tube, plastic tube, etc.), aflexible sheathing 1330, and a link 1305 (e.g., wire, cable, strand,string, etc.). In one embodiment, the rigid section of tube 1310 is astraight piece of stainless steel tube.

The lever 1350-1 rotates about pivot 1325 with respect to lever 1350-2of handle 1349. One end of the rigid section of tube 1310 is fixedlyattached to the lever 1350-2 of the handle 1349. The flexible section oftube 1320 is fixedly attached to an end of the rigid section of tube1310 to form an extension. For example, a combination of the rigidsection of tube 1310 and flexible section of tube 1320 form a singletube having a rigid portion at one end (e.g., towards the handle end orproximal end 1327) and a flexible portion at the distal end 1322. Thecombination of rigid section of tube 1310 and the flexible section oftube 1320 accept passage of a resource such as a guide wire used insurgery.

One end of the link 1305 in the hand tool 1300 is fixedly attached to adistal end 1322 of the flexible section of tube 1320; the other end ofthe link 1305 is fixedly attached to lever 1350-1 at link connection1360.

In one embodiment, the link 1305 resides adjacent to and on an undersideof the rigid section of tube 1310 and the flexible section of tube 1320.The flexible sheathing 1330 is pulled over the flexible section of tube1305 and at least a portion of the rigid section of tube 1310 as shown.

In accordance with further embodiments, the flexible sheathing 1330 actsas a sleeve covering the flexible section of tube 1320 and at least aportion of the rigid section of tube 1310. The link 1305 slides alongthe combination of the rigid section of tube 1310 and flexible sectionof tube 1320 when the lever 1350-1 is squeezed. When the lever 1350-1 ismoved in a direction towards lever 1350-2 via squeezing, the lever1350-1 applies a force on link 1305 causing the flexible section of tube1320 to form an arc.

In one embodiment, the handle 1349 includes a tab 1370 to preventmovement of lever 1350-1 with respect to lever 1350-2.

FIG. 14 is an example side view diagram of a tubular guide according toembodiments herein.

As shown, the inner diameter of the flexible sheathing 1330 isapproximately the same diameter as an outer diameter of the flexiblesection of tube 1320. The link 1305 resides between the inner surface1440 of the flexible sheathing 1330 and outer surface 1445 of theflexible section of tube 1320. The end of the link 1305 connects to theflexible section of tube 1320 via link connection 1410 (e.g., weld,solder, glue, adhesive, etc.) at distal end 1322.

By way of a non-limiting example, in one embodiment, the flexiblesection of tube 1320 and link 1305 are made from a metallic material.The flexible sheathing can be made from any suitable pliable materialsuch as plastic, metal, etc.

In accordance with further embodiments, the inner bore of the rigidsection of flexible tube 1310 and the flexible section of tube 1320 formtubular guide 1480 extending from and through the proximal end 1327 ofhand tool 1300 to and through the distal end 1322 of the hand tool 1300.

FIG. 15 is an example perspective view diagram of hand tool 1300according to embodiments herein. As shown, the hand tool 1300 caninclude a distal ring 1510 disposed at distal end 1322 of flexiblesection of tube 1320 of hand tool 1300. The distal ring 1510 provides alocation in which to form link connection 1410 between the end of link1305 and end of the flexible section of tube 1320 at the distal end1322.

FIG. 16 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool 1300 andcorresponding flexible, tubular tip in a first position according toembodiments herein.

When the handle 1349 is not squeezed and in a first position as shown inFIG. 16, the rigid section of tube 1310 and the flexible section of tube1320 align along an axis 1610 to form a substantially straight tubularguide 1480.

FIG. 17 is an example side view diagram of a hand tool 1300 andcorresponding flexible, tubular tip in a second position according toembodiments herein.

Squeezing of the handle 1349 causes the lever 1350-1 to move in adirection towards lever 1350-2. This causes the lever 1350-1 to pull onthe link 1305 away from the distal end 1322. The force of pulling on thelink 1305 causes the distal end 1322 of the tubular guide 1480 to flexinto an arc 1710 as shown (as opposed to being substantially straight inas shown in FIG. 16).

A curvature of the arc 1710 of the flexible section of tube 1320 at thedistal end 1322 of the tubular guide 1480 varies depending on how firmlythe lever 1350-1 is squeezed with respect to lever 1350-2. During a timeof squeezing the lever 1350-1, as shown, the outer flexible sheathing1330 pulled over the flexible section of tube 1320 at the distal end1322 prevents the link 1305 from bowing away from the flexible sectionof tube 1320.

One example use of the cannulated steerable guide (e.g., hand tool 1300)as discussed herein is to steer a guide wire to a desired location. Forexample, the tube formed by the rigid section of tube 1310 and theflexible section of tube 1320 is opened at both ends. During use, theoperator inserts and slides a guide wire through the tubular guide 1480from the proximal end 1327 towards and through the distal end 1322 ofthe tubular guide 1480. Based on a firmness of squeezing the handle 1349and respective levers 1350, the operator can steer the end of the guidewire passing through the tubular guide 1480 to a desired location such ahole drilled though a bone in a medical application.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart 1800 illustrating an example method ofmanufacturing a hand tool 1300 having a corresponding flexible tubulartip according to embodiments herein.

In step 1810, a hand tool assembler receives a tubular guide 1480including a flexible section of tube 1320.

In step 1815, the hand tool assembler attaches an end of a link 1305 toa distal end 1322 or tip of the flexible section of tube 1320.

In step 1820, the hand tool assembler slips or positions a flexiblesheathing 1330 over the flexible section of tube 1320 to sandwich alength of the link 1305 between an outer surface 1445 of the flexiblesection of tube 1320 and an inner surface 1440 of the flexible sheathing1330.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart 1900 illustrating an example method ofmanufacturing a hand tool 1300 having a corresponding flexible tubulartip according to embodiments herein.

In step 1910, a hand tool assembler receives a tubular guide 1480including a flexible section of tube 1320.

In step 1915, the hand tool assembler attaches a first end of the link1305 to a distal end 1322 of the flexible section of tube 1320 via linkconnection 1410.

In step 1920, the hand tool assembler encases the flexible section oftube 1320 with a flexible sheathing 1330 to dispose a length of the link1305 between an outer surface 1445 of the flexible section of tube 1320and an inner surface 1440 of the flexible sheathing 1330. The link 1305is configured to slidably move between the outer surface 1445 of theflexible section of tube 1320 and the inner surface 1445 of the flexiblesheathing 1330.

In sub-step 1925, the hand tool assembler extends the link 1305 to beadjacent to the flexible section of tube 1320.

In sub-step 1930, the hand tool assembler slips the flexible sheathing1330 over the flexible section of tube 1320 to dispose the length of thelink 1305 between the outer surface 1445 of the flexible section of tube1320 and the inner surface 1440 of the flexible sheathing 1330.

In step 1935, the hand tool assembler affixes the rigid section of tube1310 of the tubular guide 1480 to a control handle such as handle 1349.

In step 1940, via link connection 1360 (e.g., screw, weld, etc.), thehand tool assembler affixes a second end of the link 1305 to a lever1350-1 of the control handle. A magnitude of pulling force applied bythe control handle to the link 1305 controls an arc formed by acombination of the flexible section of tube 1320 and the flexiblesheathing 1330.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart 2000 illustrating example steps of a userutilizing a hand tool having a flexible tip according to embodimentsherein.

In step 2010, a user receives a hand tool 1300. The hand tool 1300comprises: a handle 1349, a tubular guide 1480, the tubular guide 1480including a flexible section of tube 1320 covered by a flexiblesheathing 1330, a link 1305 of the hand tool 1349 configured to slidebetween an outer surface 1445 of the flexible section of tube 1320 andan inner surface 1440 of the flexible sheathing 1330.

In step 2015, a user inserts a resource such as a wire through thetubular guide 1480 of hand tool 1300.

In step 2020, a user utilizes the handle 1349 of the hand tool 1300 tocontrol a force applied to the link 1305 to adjust an arc 1710 formed bythe flexible section of tube 1320.

In step 2025, a user squeezes the handle 1349 to control movement of adistal tip and arc 1710 of the flexible section of tube 1320 in thetubular guide 1480 to a medical site.

In step 2030, a user pushes the wire through the tubular guide 1480 andinto a hole drilled in the medical site.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited for use in guideapplications. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein arenot limited to use in such applications and that the techniquesdiscussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand tool comprising: a shaft; a handledisposed at a proximal end of the shaft; and a tubular tip disposed on ahinge at a distal end of the shaft.
 2. The hand tool as in claim 1further comprising: a link extending between the handle and the tubulartip, the link controlling an angular orientation of the tubular tipabout the hinge at the distal end of the shaft.
 3. The hand tool as inclaim 1 further comprising: a rigid tube extending from the proximal endof the shaft to the distal end of the shaft, the tubular tip on thehinge extending beyond the distal end of the shaft.
 4. The hand tool asin claim 2, wherein the handle is a scissors handle including a firstlever and a second lever; wherein the first lever of the scissors handleis fixedly attached to the shaft; and wherein the second lever of thescissors handle pivots about the first lever of the scissors handle, thesecond lever of the scissors handle in communication with the link, thelink configured to slide axially along a length of the shaft and adjustthe angular orientation of the tubular tip based on pivoting the secondlever with respect to the first lever of the handle.
 5. The hand tool asin claim 4, wherein the angular orientation of the tubular tip variesdepending on angular orientation of the first lever with respect to thesecond lever.
 6. The hand tool as in claim 1 further comprising: aslidable link extending between the handle and the tubular tip,squeezing of the handle causing the slidable link to move axially alongthe rigid tube to control an angular orientation of the tubular tip withrespect to an axis of the shaft.
 7. The hand tool as in claim 6, whereinthe tubular tip includes a lug channel, the slidable link at the distalend of the shaft being in contact with the lug channel to adjust anangular offset of the tubular tip with respect to a rigid tube in theshaft.
 8. The hand tool as in claim 1, wherein the hinge includesprojections on the tubular tip mated to dimples disposed on the shaft atthe distal end.
 9. The hand tool as in claim 1, wherein the tubular tipincludes a hollow spacing between the projections to pressably fit theprotrusions into the dimples.
 10. The hand tool as in claim 3 furthercomprising: a spacing between a tubular portion of the tubular tip andan end of the rigid tube at the distal end of the shaft.
 11. A methodcomprising: receiving a hand tool, the hand tool comprising: a tubularshaft, a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tubular shaft, and atubular tip disposed on a hinge at a distal end of the shaft; andutilizing the handle of the hand tool to adjust an angular orientationof the tubular tip on he hinge at the distal end of the shaft.
 12. Themethod as in claim 11 further comprising: inserting a wire through boththe tubular shaft and the tubular tip.
 13. The method as in claim 12,wherein utilizing the handle comprises: squeezing the handle disposed atthe proximal end of the tubular shaft to adjust the angular orientationof the tubular tip and steer the wire passing through the tubular tip toa medical site.
 14. The method as in claim 13 further comprising:pushing the wire at the proximal end of the tubular shaft through thetubular shaft and the tubular tip into a hole drilled in a medical site.15. The method as in claim 11 further comprising: axially aligning thetubular tip with the tubular shaft; inserting a wire through both thetubular shaft and the tubular tip; and squeezing the handle disposed atthe proximal end of the tubular shaft to adjust the angular orientationof the tubular tip and steer the wire passing through the tubular tip toa medical site.
 16. A method comprising: receiving a shaft; affixing ahandle to a proximal end of the shaft; and disposing a tubular tip on ahinge at a distal end of the shaft.
 17. The method as in claim 16further comprising: providing a link to extend between the handle andthe tubular tip; and configuring the link to control, based on movementof the link along the shaft, an angular orientation of the tubular tipabout the hinge at the distal end of the shaft.
 18. The method as inclaim 16 further comprising: providing a rigid tube to extend from theproximal end of the shaft to the distal end of the shaft, the tubulartip disposed on the hinge extending beyond the distal end of the shaft.19. The method as in claim 17, wherein the handle is a scissors handleincluding a first lever and a second lever; wherein affixing the handleto the proximal end of the shaft includes fixedly attaching the firstlever of the scissors handle to the shaft; and configuring the secondlever of the scissors handle to pivot about the first lever of thescissors handle, movement of the second lever causing the link to slideaxially along a length of the shaft and adjust the angular orientationof the tubular tip.
 20. The method as in claim 19 further comprising:configuring the angular orientation of the tubular tip based on anangular orientation of the first lever with respect to the second lever.21. The method as in claim 16 further comprising: configuring theslidable link to move, based on squeezing of the handle, axially alongthe rigid tube to control an angular orientation of the tubular tip withrespect to an axis of the shaft.
 22. The method as in claim 21 furthercomprising: shaping the tubular tip to include a lug channel, theslidable link at the distal end of the shaft being in contact with thelug channel to adjust an angular offset of the tubular tip with respectto a rigid tube in the shaft.
 23. The method as in claim 16, wherein thehinge includes projections on the tubular tip mated to dimples disposedon the shaft at the distal end.
 24. The method as in claim 16configuring the tubular tip to include a spacing between the protrusionsto pressably fit the projections into the dimples.
 25. The method as inclaim 18 further comprising: configuring the hand tool to include aspacing between a tubular portion of the tubular tip and an end of therigid tube at the distal end of the shaft.
 26. A hand tool comprising: atubular guide, the tubular guide including a rigid section of tubecoupled to a flexible section of tube; a flexible sheathing to cover atleast a portion of the tubular guide; and a slidable link extendingalong a length of the tubular guide between an outer surface of thetubular guide and an inner surface of the flexible sheathing, an end ofthe slidable link affixed to a distal tip of the flexible section oftube.
 27. The hand tool as in claim 26, wherein the rigid section oftube is affixed to a handle, the handle configured to control movementof the slidable link along the length of the tubular guide to adjust anarc formed by the flexible section of tube.
 28. The hand tool as inclaim 27, wherein the handle is a scissors handle including a firstlever and a second lever; wherein the first lever of the scissors handleis fixedly attached to the rigid section of the tubular guide; whereinthe end of the slidable link affixed to the distal tip of the flexiblesection of tube is a first end of the slidable link; and wherein thesecond lever of the scissors handle pivots about the first lever of thescissors handle, a second end of the slidable link affixed to the secondlever of the scissors handle, the slidable link configured to slideaxially along the length of the tubular guide to adjust the arc based onpivoting of the second lever with respect to the first lever of thehandle.
 29. The hand tool as in claim 28, wherein the arc of the tubularguide varies depending on an angular orientation of the first lever withrespect to the second lever.
 30. The hand tool as in claim 26, whereinthe end of the slidable link affixed to the distal tip of the flexiblesection of tube is a first end of the slidable link, the hand toolfurther comprising: a handle, the handle configured to pull on a secondend of the slidable link to control an arcature of the flexible sectionof tube; and wherein a portion of the slidable link between the flexiblesheathing and the flexible section of tube conforms to a shape of thearc of the flexible section of tube.
 31. The hand tool as in claim 26further comprising: a ring disposed at the distal tip of the flexiblesection of tube; and wherein the end of the slideable link is attachedto the ring disposed at the distal tip.
 32. The hand tool as in claim26, wherein the slidable link is a slender, flexible wire.
 33. The handtool as in claim 32, wherein the flexible sheathing prevents theslidable link from bowing away from the flexible section of tube when apulling force is applied to the slidable link to adjust an arc of thesection of flexible tube.
 34. The hand tool as in claim 26, wherein aninner diameter of the flexible sheathing is substantially equal to anouter diameter of the flexible section of tube.
 35. The hand tool as inclaim 26, wherein a combination of the flexible section of tube and theflexible sheathing relax to form a straight tubular region whensubstantially no pulling force is applied to the slidable link.
 36. Amethod comprising: receiving a hand tool, the hand tool comprising: ahandle, a tubular guide, the tubular guide including a flexible sectionof tube covered by a flexible sheathing, a slidable link between anouter surface of the flexible section and an inner surface of theflexible sheathing; and utilizing the handle of the hand tool to controla force applied to the slidable link to adjust an arc formed by theflexible section of tube.
 37. The method as in claim 36 furthercomprising: inserting a wire through both the tubular guide; and whereinutilizing the handle comprises squeezing the handle to control movementof a distal tip of the flexible section to steer the wire passingthrough the tubular guide to a medical site.
 38. The method as in claim37 further comprising: pushing the wire through the tubular guide andinto a hole drilled in the medical site.
 39. A method comprising:receiving a tubular guide including at least a flexible section of tube;attaching an end of a link to a distal tip of the flexible section oftube; and encasing the flexible section of tube with a flexiblesheathing to sandwich a length of the link between an outer surface ofthe flexible section of tube and an inner surface of the flexiblesheathing.
 40. The method as in claim 39, wherein encasing the flexiblesection of tube with a flexible sheathing includes: extending the linkadjacent the flexible section of tube; and slipping the flexiblesheathing over the flexible section of tube to sandwich the length ofthe link between the outer surface of the flexible section of tube andthe inner surface of the flexible sheathing.
 41. The method as in claim39 further comprising: affixing another end of the link to a handleconfigured to selectively apply a pulling force to the link, a magnitudeof the pulling force controlling an arc formed by a combination of theflexible section of tube and the flexible sheathing.
 42. The method asin claim 41 further comprising: affixing a rigid section of tube in thetubular guide to the control handle.
 43. The method as in claim 42,wherein the handle is a scissors handle including a first lever and asecond lever, the first lever of the scissors handle being fixedlyattached to the rigid section of the tubular guide, the second lever ofthe scissors handle configured to pivot about the first lever of thescissors handle, a second end of the slidable link affixed to the secondlever of the scissors handle, the slidable link configured to slideaxially along the length of the tubular guide to adjust the arc based onpivoting of the second lever with respect to the first lever of thehandle.
 44. The method as in claim 39 further comprising: disposing aring at a distal tip of the flexible section of tube; and attaching theend of the link to the ring.
 45. The method as in claim 39, whereinreceiving the tubular guide includes: receiving a rigid section of tubecoupled to the flexible section of tube, the flexible sheathing havingan inner diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter ofthe flexible section of tube.